mello velo

I'm looking for a light touring bike, and will use it primarily for commuting, exercise, and occasional short tour to a nearby state park, etc.
I will probably get something like a Raleigh Clubman, something relatively sporty, but can still carry a rear pannier.
My wife really likes the look of roadster bicycles, sort of like the Dutch bikes, but not quite as upright, lots of style, such as the Raleigh Classic Roadster, Electra Ticino, Linus Roadster, all of these I think are available in 8 speed. Will these bikes be so slow that I'll have to walk beside her? The Raleigh is steel, the Ticino is aluminum frame. The more upright position is harder in heavy wind. Anyhow, if you know of a good bike that looks like a roadster but would be good for occasional touring too, let me know.

LeeG

the real question is whether you can slow down to ride with her assuming your potential power output is greater. If you cannot then she cannot keep up. The bike really doesn't matter. Been down this road too much. If you want to ride together, you will ride together. If you cannot adjust your effort and end up forcing her to ride harder you will not ride together for long.

wahoonc

Most men are stronger than women when it comes to bike riding. Get her something she likes and is comfortable on, then slow down to her speed and ride where she wants to ride.

I bought my new bride a nice GT Slipstream Hybrid back in 2000, she rode it some, but she didn't really start riding and enjoying it until she got a 1972 Raleigh Colt in 2006. Unfortunately bikes like the Raleigh are few and far between. She now has two Raleigh Colts and a Raleigh Twenty that she enjoys.

Aaron

sonnetg

How much does it weigh? 50 lbs? Those bikes can be heavy. If she is a regular biker, the weight probably wont matter and riding the roadster will be a breeze. I heard those Roadster are very comfortable to rid on. Do you have pics of the bike?

mello velo

Thankyou for your wise comments. I think you are right, I am the one who will need to adjust. She's petite and is very fit, but is a slow runner, not sure on a bike yet.



Pics left to right of Raleigh Classic Roadster , Linus Mixte 8, and Electra Ticino.

Here's a bike I have been admiring for me, Raleigh Clubman, I think the blue is handsome... Available 2012.
Also looked at these others conceptually as no one locally carries my size (+/_ 62cm)and many dealers aren't in Memphis, or bikes are special order, or are out of stock for 2011:
Jamis Aurora,
Salsa Casserole,
Masi RAndonneur,
Bianchi Volpe
Trek 520
Surly LHT
Kona Sutra

Bikes I have tried:
Raleigh Sojourn, not in my size though- size 57- I like the Sojourn quite well, solid, nice seat, stylish
Surly Cross Check, also too small- ride felt similar to Sojourn, not as stylish
Used Trek 620 for sale, 25.5 inch frame, fit well, needs TLC, not much room for fenders
Will look at used 1973 Grand Sports Sunday. My wife and I are going by a shop that makes up custom bikes for clients, I think they will be able to help us.....

Comments welcome.

B. Carfree

This is just the common couples problem with a twist. If you carry all the gear and she is still too slow for you, you can either trade her in for a new model or get a tandem. My wife and I chose to get a tandem several decades ago.

Chris_in_Miami

The geometry of the Linus mixte looks like it would be the speediest option. I love the look and the components on the Ticino, but the pedals-forward seating position looks too inefficient.

As for your choice, the Clubman is a beauty, it will be much sportier than the Sojurn. I'd love to have a Masi Randonneur.

bradtx

mello velo, Let her pick the bicycle she prefers and if need be slow down in order to ride together. Both of my daughters like to cycle, but when they were younger it required my Santana for us to ride together.

Brad

mello velo

Thanks Chris for the specific input, that helps. LBS we went to today said my wife will probably need to go for a hybrid to keep up. They were out of the Masi's for 2011 in Randonneurs.

hybridbkrdr

I don't see why someone can't have two bikes. For myself, I find cruisers hurt my knees. I sat on a Trek 520 once and I think it's God-like. hehe It would be cool though if they had the same bike with flatbars, bigger tires and a dynamo hub. That would be more like a trekking bike from Europe. But, whatever, in North America they don't seem to have that style.

bradtx

+1, the mixte is just so classic of a design also.

Brad

bradtx

I'm curious as to why the LBS said that.

Brad

B. Carfree

It's easy to change these things. If you want it, just make it happen.

kevin_stevens

This underlying attitude of "she has to keep up with me" is likely to negate whatever bike choice you make.

KeS

hybridbkrdr

If you stop and smell the roses, you won't be going that fast. hahah

MassiveD

I would try to sell her on a touring bike. It's that real comfort vs imagined comfort thing people have a problem with. Touring is long distance riding for ordinary people. Touring bikes wouldn't look as they do if they were inefficient, required unusual athletic prowess to ride, and were uncomfortable.

Here is a nice little short film in which the English touring bike is as practical and normal as anything the Dutch rode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d...eature=related

hybridbkrdr

This is completely silly. I clicked on the Youtube video and clicked and clicked and ended up watching skaters vs security guard videos.

fietsbob

1 word .... Tandem .. get one. then the can she keep up? problem is solved

hybridbkrdr

And if you both want to go a different direction, say hello to 10x more arguments.

Hangtownmatt

I was at a bike show/festival yesterday and one vendor was selling a product called BionX. It's an electric assist that can be installed on any bike; I think. Looked intriguing and the couple that was selling it used it for exactly the reasons stated. I'm not making a recommendation but you might want to google it. The couple seemed happy and like it much better than their tandem.

mello velo

She has recommended that I carry all the gear for both of us, and pull our 50 pound dog on a trailer! I think the LBS recommended a hybrid because its more of a fitness bike, has more gears for hills, not sure why else. The LBS said he thought the Linus Mixte would be a tiresome bike to ride past 15 or 20 miles, thereby talking himself out of a sale. Electric is always a possibility. I'm open to a tandem. Also I'm an artist, I could stop and do some sketching....
My experience in touring is limited. I did spend a week cycling around Scotland. The Isle of Skye was nice. I rode across to the Isle with a herd of sheep on a ferry.

For myself, I'm finding it challenging to pick a bike because they are not available in the shops. I'm copying over some notes from an email i sent about the choices I've been looking at if you'll bear with me:
-Raleigh Clubman- great look for 2012, seems to fit the sport touring category that I'm looking for
-Raleigh Sojourn, nice, don't really like the black color for 2012, long chainstay is good though (I have size 14 shoes)
-Surly LHT or Crosscheck- bikes are not as nice looking as the Raleighs, no fenders or pedals, not sure on specs, CC is flexible for going off paved roads- LHT has longer chainstay
-Local CL add has Surly CC in 60cm size that is a fixed speed, but could convert
-Fuji Touring- economical, decent looking
-Bianchi Volpe- I think I would like the STI's- similar to Crosscheck


-Also looking at used Trek 620, 1983 model in decent shape- $330. Needs cosmetic touch up, but frame is good. Has Shimano 105 components and drivetrain.


Thanks for everyone's comments, have a good night.

dewaday

We bought my wife a similar style bike because she liked the look. 3 months later we realized you don't ride the look, she had outgrown the style, and we were back at the LBS. Do some extended side by side test rides between the roadster vs. a performance hybrid and ask her to focus on the amount of exertion required to move and navigate both bikes. Comfort is really hard for a new rider to judge, the cushy seat and slow steering will feel comfy at first and become your worst enemy after a few long rides.

Clubman's a nice looking ride, complete with Brooks Swift. I'd check to see how large a tire you can run.

OldZephyr

If your wife likes a more upright position, consider a LHT with an *uncut* steering tube, and placing drop bars at the top of the tube. I post about this because it has worked well for my wife (she's 5'2" or so).

Here's a link to a picture. I admit that the bike is weird looking, but it works great for her and she loves it: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post12953404

mello velo

LBS indicated today that the Electra Ticino was the fastest bike he had in the classic/comfort/roadster style, it has a fairly narrow tire, 100 psi he said. They have one in my size so I test rode it for my wife..... good fun, the steering moves incredibly easily, odd for me, when I put any exertion on the handlebars the front wheel turns a little too easily.
Funny look OldZephyr on your wife's bike, makes sense tho. Probably comfortable.

mello velo

I think Clubman tire will run up to 32mm without fenders.... based on posts I read.....